Glen Innes Council opens consultation on plans to increase size of turbines

Consultation has opened on a new plan for bigger turbines at the third wind farm to be built in the area.

Glen Innes Wind Farm developers have revised their original proposal to the NSW government so that the turbine towers will be 21 metres higher and the blades 8.5 metres longer. The company says that this will give much more power from each turbine.

The NSW Government’s planning department is evaluating the taller towers and larger blades for the project which is located on the eastern side of the White Rock Wind Farm. They want to know if there will be any additional impact on the environment or on people living nearby.

The local State MP, Adam Marshall, said: “The plans indicate that the proponents are committed to building this massive project and are updating the approved wind farm to make the most of technological advancements.

“Were this alteration approved, the wind farm would generate an additional 15 megawatts of renewable energy, boosting its total capacity to 90 megawatts. This boost in production could power an extra 6,000 homes across the region.”

He said the renewables industry had delivered major economic growth to Glen Innes and Inverell, with the White Rock and Sapphire Wind Farms in the construction phase.

Details of the project’s submission and options for comments are available online at the NSW Government’s Major Projects portal: www.majorprojects.planning.nsw.gov.au/index.pl?action=view_job&job_id=817